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Actor Will Smith’s Son Jaden Owns One Pair of Shoes, Five Shirts

“It’s such a strange thing. Jaden, my 16-year-old, he has one pair of shoes. He has three pairs of pants and he has five shirts. Total.

“He has refused to be a slave to money. I so respect that. The younger generation is less of an ownership generation, anyway. And it’s such an interesting thing to watch, because I came from a middle-class background, but, you know, our lights and gas would be cut off from not paying the bill.

“I grew up in a house where you would need the kerosene heaters in the winter in case the bills didn’t get paid. And he’s from the complete other end of the spectrum.

“And it’s so interesting to me that from growing up in that space, he could see the need for things in a way that he’s rejecting. He’s like, ‘I’m not gonna let myself need things in that way’—but I would like him to get another pair of shoes.”

3 thoughts on “Actor Will Smith’s Son Jaden Owns One Pair of Shoes, Five Shirts”

Interesting. I just visited Jaden's Facebook page. I counted Jaden at least 30 dirrerent shirts, all in what appear to be current photos. I guess the extra 25 must be "wardrobe" owned by his production or music company, or dad Will. I like the kid and his family, but whitewash his image.

I'm not only intrigued by the fact that Jaden owns so little clothing, but also the fact that Will Smith compliments the current generation for having less value on ownership. Not sure I agree, but since becoming more concerned about sustainability and wanting to travel more, I see how little I need of "stuff." There's so much more to life than acquiring things.